It was quite a year for Ryan Gray, but best lies ahead

Eleven wins at various Pro Rodeo Cowboy’s Association events, a return to the National Finals in Las Vegas and a No. 4 ranking in the wild world of bareback bronc riding – the profession of doing his best to hang on for eight seconds to a whirling dervish weighing nearly a half ton.

But he’s really got his eyes on 2014, and rodeo has nothing to do with things.

Sometime in the next few days, or even perhaps already, Cheney High grad Gray and wife Lacy will welcome their new baby to the world.